New Zealand will send a seven-strong team to the 2026 UCI Para cycling Track World Championships in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, from Thursday 29 October to Monday 2 November (NZT). We look at what to expect as the world’s best Para cyclists pursue rainbow jerseys.
How important is this event on the road to the LA28 Paralympic Games?
Very important. Sitting at the midpoint of the four-year Paralympic cycle, the 2026 World Championships take on added significance with major changes to the track racing programme for LA28.
The Individual Pursuit has been removed from all C-class events, with bunch races – including the Scratch and Elimination races – taking on greater prominence. In tandem racing, the 1000m Time Trial has been replaced by the Sprint for LA28.
As a result, Apeldoorn offers a vital opportunity for Para athletes to refine their race craft, develop their skills and test themselves against the world’s best on the road to LA28.
Tell us about the host venue?
Since opening in 2008, the Omnisport Apeldoorn velodrome has regularly hosted major international cycling events. It staged the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2011 and 2018, as well as the UCI Para cycling Track World Championships in 2015.
One Kiwi competing in Apeldoorn, Paralympian #194 Emma Foy, has fond memories of that 2015 edition. Riding with her then-pilot Laura Thompson (Paralympian #187), Foy claimed gold in the Women’s 3000m Individual Pursuit B.
Tell us more about Emma Foy and her pilot, Jessie Hodges. They’ve enjoyed a strong year together. What are their chances in Apeldoorn?
Foy and Hodges struck gold twice at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning the Women’s 1000m Time Trial B and Women’s Sprint B.
The pair are entered in the Women’s 1000m Time Trial B and Women’s 4000m Individual Pursuit B in Apeldoorn and will be looking to challenge for the podium in both events.
They also arrive with proven World Championship form, having claimed silver medals in both the Time Trial and 4000m Individual Pursuit at the 2025 UCI Para Cycling Track World Championships.
Paralympian #229 Devon Briggs has been a consistent performer on the world stage in recent years. Will he be in action?
Absolutely. The Cambridge-based Para cyclist also enjoyed a golden Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, winning the Men’s 1000m Time Trial C1–3 in a Games-record time.
The 22-year-old faces a busy programme in Apeldoorn, contesting the Men’s C3 1000m Time Trial, Elimination, Scratch and Sprint events, as well as the Team Sprint C1–5.
A regular medal contender on the international circuit, Briggs is also the reigning world champion in the Men’s Scratch C3 and will be aiming to add to his medal collection in the Netherlands.
Which other Kiwis should we keep an eye on in Apeldoorn?
Paralympian #222 Nicole Murray PLY has been a regular on the international podium for the past eight years, following her breakthrough performance at the 2018 UCI Para cycling Track World Championships.
A Paralympic bronze medallist in the Women’s Individual Pursuit C5 at Paris 2024, Murray claimed four medals at the 2025 World Championships – three silver and one bronze. She also won bronze in the Women’s Individual Pursuit C4–5 at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The 34-year-old will contest four events in Apeldoorn: the Women’s 1000m Time Trial C5, Elimination C5, Scratch C5 and Sprint C5. With such a strong record on the global stage, the Kiwi will look to once again feature in the medal shake up.
Siobhan Terry was a breakout star at the 2025 UCI Para cycling Track World Championships, winning two silver and two bronze medals. Will she be back for 2026?
Yes. The former Para swimmer made a major impression at the 2025 championships in Rio and will be looking to carry that momentum into her pinnacle event of the 2026 season.
Terry is entered in the same four events in which she won medals last year: the Women’s 1000m Time Trial C4, Sprint C4, Scratch C4 and Elimination C4. She will also be part of New Zealand’s Team Sprint C1–5 squad.
Paralympian #225 Anna Taylor PLY is making her first major international appearance since giving birth to son Henry last November. What are her hopes in Apeldoorn?
Taylor will contest the Women’s 1000m Time Trial C4 and Team Sprint C1–5. The Paris 2024 silver medallist in the Women’s Individual Pursuit C4 is taking a measured approach to her return to international competition.
“I don’t quite know where I’m at, but my goal is to set a PB in the kilo,” she says.
“I’m not putting pressure on myself; it’s more about reintroducing myself to the world stage. So much has changed for me and my body since Paris. I now love racing for racing’s sake, and it will be cool just to be back in that environment.”
Are there any newcomers in the team?
Yes. Ieuan Edwards will make his Para cycling Track World Championships debut in Apeldoorn.
The 23-year-old has overcome a challenging year, including wrist surgery, six months without funding and his father undergoing cancer treatment, to earn selection for the New Zealand team.
Based in Christchurch, Edwards will contest five events: the Men’s Sprint C5, 1000m Time Trial C5, Elimination C5, Scratch C5 and Team Sprint C1-5.
“I am looking forward to putting everything I have been working on over the last eight years into practice: the technical cycling skills, tactics, recovery, strength and conditioning, mental skills and nutrition,” said Edwards.
“It’s been a long-term goal to represent New Zealand on the world stage. I’m looking forward to being part of the team, doing my best and showing what I am capable of.”
Why should we tune in?
With a world-class Kiwi line-up ready to compete, there will be plenty to follow in Apeldoorn. The 2026 UCI Para cycling Track World Championships has attracted 244 entries – the largest field in the event’s history.
Expect fierce competition, compelling racing and an exhilarating battle for the coveted rainbow jerseys.
How can we follow the action?
Live coverage will be available on the UCI YouTube channel.
For start lists and results go here.
